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Mark Schlabach
The R&A joined the United States Golf Association in adding a qualification pathway for golfers competing in the LIV Golf League, the R&A announced Monday.
The leading LIV Golf player not already exempt from the top five in the individual season standings through the tour’s tournament in Carrollton, Texas, on June 27-29 will earn a spot in the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland on July 17-20.
“The Open is a global championship for the best men’s golfers and each year we review our exemptions to ensure that we offer pathways into the championship based on results achieved on the leading professional tours,” Mark Darbon, CEO of The R&A, said in a statement.
“We acknowledge that players competing in LIV Golf should also have the opportunity to secure places in The Open through its individual season standings as well as existing pathways.”
Last week, the United States Golf Association announced a new exemption category for the U.S. Open that will award one spot to the leading LIV golfer from the top three in the individual standings at the halfway point of the season.
This year, the leading golfer from the top three not otherwise exempt on May 19 will earn a spot in the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, on June 12-15.
In 2026, the U.S. Open will invite the leading player from the final 2025 individual standings and the leading golfer from the May 18, 2026 list if they’re not already exempt and ranked in the top three.
The Masters does not have a specific exemption category for LIV Golf players, although Augusta National Golf Club has invited LIV Golf captain Joaquín Niemann in each of the past two years. The PGA of America has extended special invitations to LIV Golf players based on the Official World Golf Ranking in the past.
LIV Golf League players can also earn spots in The Open through their world ranking and the Open Qualifying Series. Past major championship winners, including Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson and others, are already exempt for The Open this year.
“We thank Mark Darbon for his leadership and the R&A for taking this step for the benefit of moving golf forward,” LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil said in a statement. “The Open Championship is one of the most prestigious events in all of sports. The acknowledgement that competitors from the LIV Golf League and The International Series will have the opportunity to play in golf’s original major is a true testament to the strength of fields and the R&A’s commitment to golf fans around the world.”
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